Re: [Meditation Society of America] New Center At Stanford To Study Brain's Role In Compassion, Altruism

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sean tremblay

Great article, This is something I would like to know more about. The biology of compassion. As a father I observed that thier is a natural state of

Message 1 of 18
, Jan 23, 2009

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Great article,

This is something I would like to know more about. The biology of compassion. As a father I observed that thier is a natural state of compassion that we as a species are born with. baby on solid food will want to share with every one around him family and strangers alike. What changes in the brain occur in life that disconnects us from our Natural State of being? As a soldier, my concern is what changes occur in the brain that causes seemingly normal people to commit savage acts, It seems there is a switch to self destruct mode that happens in the brain on a collective level, that thier are acts that many individuals are capible of commiting in a group setting and not individualy. Again what is the neural root of collective insanity?

New Center At Stanford To Study Brain's Role In Compassion, Altruism23 Jan 2009

A new Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education has been launched at the Stanford University School of Medicine, with the aim of doing scientific research on the neural underpinnings of these thoughts and feelings.

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, provided $150,000 in seed money for the center-the largest sum he has ever given for a scientific venture-and has agreed to return to Stanford for a future visit, according to Geshe Thupten Jinpa, a translator for the Dalai Lama.

The center is the brainchild of Jim Doty, MD, a clinical professor of neurosurgery who recently returned to Stanford after a period of entrepreneurship, and neurologist William Mobley, MD, PhD, the John E. Cahill Family Professor in the School of Medicine. Doty is the director of
the center, which is housed within the Stanford Institute for Neuro-Innovation and Translational Neurosciences,

The impetus for the center began in November 2005, when the Dalai Lama visited Stanford for a dialogue with scientists and Buddhist scholars that was moderated by Mobley and focused on spiritual and scientific explorations of human experience in the areas of craving, suffering and choice.

Following the visit by the Dalai Lama and based on his own experiences and interest in these areas, Doty initiated informal meetings with a number of Stanford scientists including Mobley, who is co-director of the center; Brian Knutson, PhD, associate professor of psychology; and Gary Steinberg, MD, PhD, professor and chair of neurosurgery, in an effort to spur rigorous scientific research in mind/brain interactions focused on compassion and altruism. He also connected with
University of Oregon neuroeconomist Bill Harbaugh, PhD, who examines altruistic giving using functional magnetic resonance imaging.

In March 2008, a delegation from Stanford flew to Seattle, where the Dalai Lama was attending a conference related to compassion. On hearing from the Stanford group about the goals of the planned center and the pilot studies under way, the Dalai Lama agreed to a return visit to Stanford and spontaneously volunteered the $150,000 donation to spur continuing exploration in this area.

This event marked the transition from what was initially an informal gathering of like-minded scientists to the formal creation of the center by medical school Dean Philip Pizzo.

"As a neurosurgeon, I can only affect a few patients each day," Doty said. "Through the activities of the center, we have the potential to impact thousands to millions of people to
live fuller and more positive lives."

The center has now raised more than $2 million in donations and has initiated a number of pilot studies, some involving Buddhist and Catholic contemplative practitioners. For example, brain-imaging studies have demonstrated a burst of activity in an area of the brain known as the nucleus accumbens when these practitioners think compassionate thoughts. The center is also examining individuals' response to the suffering of others, which can be either disgust or recognition of another's suffering, followed by empathy and a desire to take action (this is signaled by activation of the prefrontal cortex, the seat of initiation of motor movement).

Questions the center wishes to address, Doty said, include:

- Is it possible to create a set of mental exercises that individuals can be taught to make them more compassionate without them
having to spend thousands of hours in meditation (common for Buddhist monks)?

- Is there an explanation for why a child becomes a bully?

- Are there ways in which children or their parents can be taught to be more compassionate?

- Can we create a set of exercises that will address the issue of "compassion fatigue" in clergy and hospital personnel?

- Would such training benefit prison inmates to decrease violence and recidivism?

- Is there a place for such training in the corporate environment to decrease the incidence of depression and anxiety in workers?

The center is also sponsoring a symposium, slated for March, that will bring together a multidisciplinary group of scientists from around the world. Attendees will include philosophers, contemplative scholars, psychologists, developmentalists, primatologists, neuroeconomists and neuroscientists working
in the area of compassion and altruism research.

Doty brings a unique perspective on altruism to the center. At one point, he accumulated a $75 million fortune, part of which he committed as a multimillion- dollar pledge to Stanford University. But following the dot-com meltdown, Doty was $3 million in debt even after liquidating essentially all of his assets.

To honor his charitable commitments, he sold his only remaining asset: stock in Accuray Inc., a publicly traded company he had previously headed as CEO. This allowed Doty to fulfill pledges of $5.4 million to the university and another $20 million to other charities. Part of his Stanford donation is being used to fund the center.

Stanford University Medical Center integrates research, medical education and patient care at its three institutions - Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford Hospital & Clinics and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. For more information, please visit the Web site of the medical center's Office of Communication & Public Affairs at http://mednews. stanford. edu.

New Center At Stanford To Study Brain's Role In Compassion, Altruism23 Jan 2009

A new Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education has been launched at the Stanford University School of Medicine, with the aim of doing scientific research on the neural underpinnings of these thoughts and feelings.

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, provided $150,000 in seed money for the center-the largest sum he has ever given for a scientific venture-and has agreed to return to Stanford for a future visit, according to Geshe Thupten Jinpa, a translator for the Dalai Lama.

The center is the brainchild of Jim Doty, MD, a clinical professor of neurosurgery who recently returned to Stanford after a period of entrepreneurship, and neurologist William Mobley, MD, PhD, the John E. Cahill Family Professor in the School of Medicine. Doty is the director of
the center, which is housed within the Stanford Institute for Neuro-Innovation and Translational Neurosciences,

The impetus for the center began in November 2005, when the Dalai Lama visited Stanford for a dialogue with scientists and Buddhist scholars that was moderated by Mobley and focused on spiritual and scientific explorations of human experience in the areas of craving, suffering and choice.

Following the visit by the Dalai Lama and based on his own experiences and interest in these areas, Doty initiated informal meetings with a number of Stanford scientists including Mobley, who is co-director of the center; Brian Knutson, PhD, associate professor of psychology; and Gary Steinberg, MD, PhD, professor and chair of neurosurgery, in an effort to spur rigorous scientific research in mind/brain interactions focused on compassion and altruism. He also connected with
University of Oregon neuroeconomist Bill Harbaugh, PhD, who examines altruistic giving using functional magnetic resonance imaging.

In March 2008, a delegation from Stanford flew to Seattle, where the Dalai Lama was attending a conference related to compassion. On hearing from the Stanford group about the goals of the planned center and the pilot studies under way, the Dalai Lama agreed to a return visit to Stanford and spontaneously volunteered the $150,000 donation to spur continuing exploration in this area.

This event marked the transition from what was initially an informal gathering of like-minded scientists to the formal creation of the center by medical school Dean Philip Pizzo.

"As a neurosurgeon, I can only affect a few patients each day," Doty said. "Through the activities of the center, we have the potential to impact thousands to millions of people to
live fuller and more positive lives."

The center has now raised more than $2 million in donations and has initiated a number of pilot studies, some involving Buddhist and Catholic contemplative practitioners. For example, brain-imaging studies have demonstrated a burst of activity in an area of the brain known as the nucleus accumbens when these practitioners think compassionate thoughts. The center is also examining individuals' response to the suffering of others, which can be either disgust or recognition of another's suffering, followed by empathy and a desire to take action (this is signaled by activation of the prefrontal cortex, the seat of initiation of motor movement).

Questions the center wishes to address, Doty said, include:

- Is it possible to create a set of mental exercises that individuals can be taught to make them more compassionate without them
having to spend thousands of hours in meditation (common for Buddhist monks)?

- Is there an explanation for why a child becomes a bully?

- Are there ways in which children or their parents can be taught to be more compassionate?

- Can we create a set of exercises that will address the issue of "compassion fatigue" in clergy and hospital personnel?

- Would such training benefit prison inmates to decrease violence and recidivism?

- Is there a place for such training in the corporate environment to decrease the incidence of depression and anxiety in workers?

The center is also sponsoring a symposium, slated for March, that will bring together a multidisciplinary group of scientists from around the world. Attendees will include philosophers, contemplative scholars, psychologists, developmentalists, primatologists, neuroeconomists and neuroscientists working
in the area of compassion and altruism research.

Doty brings a unique perspective on altruism to the center. At one point, he accumulated a $75 million fortune, part of which he committed as a multimillion- dollar pledge to Stanford University. But following the dot-com meltdown, Doty was $3 million in debt even after liquidating essentially all of his assets.

To honor his charitable commitments, he sold his only remaining asset: stock in Accuray Inc., a publicly traded company he had previously headed as CEO. This allowed Doty to fulfill pledges of $5.4 million to the university and another $20 million to other charities. Part of his Stanford donation is being used to fund the center.

Stanford University Medical Center integrates research, medical education and patient care at its three institutions - Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford Hospital & Clinics and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. For more information, please visit the Web site of the medical center's Office of Communication & Public Affairs at http://mednews. stanford. edu.

Hi Sean, That natural state of compassion and connection with other people is something I ve observed in young children as well. As examples: If you don t mind

Message 3 of 18
, Jan 24, 2009

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Hi Sean,

That natural state of compassion
and connection with other people
is something I've observed in
young children as well.

As examples:

If you don't mind a ride in
Mr. Peabody's Wayback machine...

When a young child I was
fortunate enough to spend
a few years with back in
the 70s was not quite
2 years old...a couple
of instances of this
compassion and connection
struck me powerful and
are still fresh in my
memory:

We were waiting at the
airport, and I was holding
this young boy in my arms.
His older sister had been
away for a couple of weeks.
When she came off the plane
and into the reception area...

I was startled to see the
eyes of this young boy
tear up upon seeing her.
It was surprising to me
that a child so young would
feel this much intensity
of emotion, compassion and
connection. I wouldn't have
expected that reaction in
someone so young.

Secondly, again, while
holding this same young man:

We were at a restaurant
waiting by the counter
for a table.

Seated at the counter
was a man eating a sandwich.

The young boy leaned over
as asked, "What are you eating?"

The man smiled and said,
"A cheeseburger."

Obviously feeling a connection,
and comfortable with the
concept of sharing,
the young boy said...

"Can I have a bite?"

I still burst out laughing
whenever that comes to mind.

Best,

Jeff

PS: Are you back in the states?
Oh, and the man at the counter
just turned away, without
offering to share a bite.

>
> Great article,
> This is something I would like to know more about. The biology of

compassion. As a father I observed that thier is a natural state of
compassion that we as a species are born with. baby on solid food
will want to share with every one around him family and strangers
alike. What changes in the brain occur in life that disconnects us
from our Natural State of being? As a soldier, my concern is what
changes occur in the brain that causes seemingly normal people to
commit savage acts, It seems there is a switch to self destruct mode
that happens in the brain on a collective level, that thier are acts
that many individuals are capible of commiting in a group setting and
not individualy. Again what is the neural root of collective insanity?

> To: meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Friday, January 23, 2009, 1:59 PM
>
>
>
>
>
>
> New Center At Stanford To Study Brain's
> Role In Compassion, Altruism
> 23 Jan 2009
>
> A new Center for Compassion and Altruism
> Research and Education has been launched
> at the Stanford University School of Medicine,
> with the aim of doing scientific research on
> the neural underpinnings of these thoughts and feelings.
>
> His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso,
> provided $150,000 in seed money for the center-the
> largest sum he has ever given for a scientific
> venture-and has agreed to return to Stanford for
> a future visit, according to Geshe Thupten Jinpa,
> a translator for the Dalai Lama.
>
> The center is the brainchild of Jim Doty, MD,
> a clinical professor of neurosurgery who recently
> returned to Stanford after a period of
> entrepreneurship, and neurologist William Mobley,
> MD, PhD, the John E. Cahill Family Professor in
> the School of Medicine. Doty is the director of
> the center, which is housed within the Stanford
> Institute for Neuro-Innovation and Translational Neurosciences,
>
> The impetus for the center began in November 2005,
> when the Dalai Lama visited Stanford for a dialogue
> with scientists and Buddhist scholars that was moderated by Mobley
> and focused on spiritual and scientific
> explorations of human experience in the areas
> of craving, suffering and choice.
>
> Following the visit by the Dalai Lama and based
> on his own experiences and interest in these
> areas, Doty initiated informal meetings with a
> number of Stanford scientists including Mobley,
> who is co-director of the center; Brian Knutson,
> PhD, associate professor of psychology; and Gary
> Steinberg, MD, PhD, professor and chair of
> neurosurgery, in an effort to spur rigorous
> scientific research in mind/brain interactions
> focused on compassion and altruism. He also
> connected with University of Oregon neuroeconomist
> Bill Harbaugh, PhD, who examines altruistic
> giving using functional magnetic resonance imaging.
>
> In March 2008, a delegation from Stanford flew
> to Seattle, where the Dalai Lama was attending a
> conference related to compassion. On hearing from
> the Stanford group about the goals of the planned
> center and the pilot studies under way, the Dalai
> Lama agreed to a return visit to Stanford and s
> pontaneously volunteered the $150,000 donation
> to spur continuing exploration in this area.
>
> This event marked the transition from what was
> initially an informal gathering of like-minded
> scientists to the formal creation of the center
> by medical school Dean Philip Pizzo.
>
> "As a neurosurgeon, I can only affect a few
> patients each day," Doty said. "Through the
> activities of the center, we have the potential
> to impact thousands to millions of people to
> live fuller and more positive lives."
>
> The center has now raised more than $2 million
> in donations and has initiated a number of
> pilot studies, some involving Buddhist and
> Catholic contemplative practitioners. For example,
> brain-imaging studies have demonstrated a burst
> of activity in an area of the brain known as
> the nucleus accumbens when these practitioners
> think compassionate thoughts. The center is also
> examining individuals' response to the suffering
> of others, which can be either disgust or recognition
> of another's suffering, followed by empathy and
> a desire to take action (this is signaled by
> activation of the prefrontal cortex, the seat of
> initiation of motor movement).
>
> Questions the center wishes to address, Doty
> said, include:
>
> - Is it possible to create a set of mental
> exercises that individuals can be taught to
> make them more compassionate without them
> having to spend thousands of hours in meditation
> (common for Buddhist monks)?
>
> - Is there an explanation for why a child becomes a bully?
>
> - Are there ways in which children or their
> parents can be taught to be more compassionate?
>
> - Can we create a set of exercises that will address
> the issue of "compassion fatigue" in clergy and
> hospital personnel?
>
> - Would such training benefit prison inmates to
> decrease violence and recidivism?
>
> - Is there a place for such training in the corporate
> environment to decrease the incidence of depression
> and anxiety in workers?
>
> The center is also sponsoring a symposium, slated
> for March, that will bring together a multidisciplinary
> group of scientists from around the world. Attendees
> will include philosophers, contemplative scholars,
> psychologists, developmentalists, primatologists,
> neuroeconomists and neuroscientists working in the
> area of compassion and altruism research.
>
> Doty brings a unique perspective on altruism to
> the center. At one point, he accumulated a $75
> million fortune, part of which he committed as a
> multimillion- dollar pledge to Stanford University.
> But following the dot-com meltdown, Doty was $3
> million in debt even after liquidating essentially
> all of his assets.
>
> To honor his charitable commitments, he sold his
> only remaining asset: stock in Accuray Inc., a
> publicly traded company he had previously headed
> as CEO. This allowed Doty to fulfill pledges of
> $5.4 million to the university and another $20
> million to other charities. Part of his Stanford
> donation is being used to fund the center.
>
> The center is located at 1215 Welch Road (Module B/room 55). More
> information is available at the center's Web site at
> http://compassion. stanford. edu.
>
> Stanford University Medical Center integrates research, medical
> education and patient care at its three institutions - Stanford
> University School of Medicine, Stanford Hospital & Clinics and

New Center At Stanford To Study Brain's Role In Compassion, Altruism23 Jan 2009

A new Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education has been launched at the Stanford University School of Medicine, with the aim of doing scientific research on the neural underpinnings of these thoughts and feelings.

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, provided $150,000 in seed money for the center-the largest sum he has ever given for a scientific venture-and has agreed to return to Stanford for a future visit, according to Geshe Thupten Jinpa, a translator for the Dalai Lama.

The center is the brainchild of Jim Doty, MD, a clinical professor of neurosurgery who recently returned to Stanford after a period of entrepreneurship, and neurologist William Mobley, MD, PhD, the John E. Cahill Family Professor in the School of Medicine. Doty is the director of
the center, which is housed within the Stanford Institute for Neuro-Innovation and Translational Neurosciences,

The impetus for the center began in November 2005, when the Dalai Lama visited Stanford for a dialogue with scientists and Buddhist scholars that was moderated by Mobley and focused on spiritual and scientific explorations of human experience in the areas of craving, suffering and choice.

Following the visit by the Dalai Lama and based on his own experiences and interest in these areas, Doty initiated informal meetings with a number of Stanford scientists including Mobley, who is co-director of the center; Brian Knutson, PhD, associate professor of psychology; and Gary Steinberg, MD, PhD, professor and chair of neurosurgery, in an effort to spur rigorous scientific research in mind/brain interactions focused on compassion and altruism. He also connected with
University of Oregon neuroeconomist Bill Harbaugh, PhD, who examines altruistic giving using functional magnetic resonance imaging.

In March 2008, a delegation from Stanford flew to Seattle, where the Dalai Lama was attending a conference related to compassion. On hearing from the Stanford group about the goals of the planned center and the pilot studies under way, the Dalai Lama agreed to a return visit to Stanford and spontaneously volunteered the $150,000 donation to spur continuing exploration in this area.

This event marked the transition from what was initially an informal gathering of like-minded scientists to the formal creation of the center by medical school Dean Philip Pizzo.

"As a neurosurgeon, I can only affect a few patients each day," Doty said. "Through the activities of the center, we have the potential to impact thousands to millions of people to
live fuller and more positive lives."

The center has now raised more than $2 million in donations and has initiated a number of pilot studies, some involving Buddhist and Catholic contemplative practitioners. For example, brain-imaging studies have demonstrated a burst of activity in an area of the brain known as the nucleus accumbens when these practitioners think compassionate thoughts. The center is also examining individuals' response to the suffering of others, which can be either disgust or recognition of another's suffering, followed by empathy and a desire to take action (this is signaled by activation of the prefrontal cortex, the seat of initiation of motor movement).

Questions the center wishes to address, Doty said, include:

- Is it possible to create a set of mental exercises that individuals can be taught to make them more compassionate without them
having to spend thousands of hours in meditation (common for Buddhist monks)?

- Is there an explanation for why a child becomes a bully?

- Are there ways in which children or their parents can be taught to be more compassionate?

- Can we create a set of exercises that will address the issue of "compassion fatigue" in clergy and hospital personnel?

- Would such training benefit prison inmates to decrease violence and recidivism?

- Is there a place for such training in the corporate environment to decrease the incidence of depression and anxiety in workers?

The center is also sponsoring a symposium, slated for March, that will bring together a multidisciplinary group of scientists from around the world. Attendees will include philosophers, contemplative scholars, psychologists, developmentalists, primatologists, neuroeconomists and neuroscientists working
in the area of compassion and altruism research.

Doty brings a unique perspective on altruism to the center. At one point, he accumulated a $75 million fortune, part of which he committed as a multimillion- dollar pledge to Stanford University. But following the dot-com meltdown, Doty was $3 million in debt even after liquidating essentially all of his assets.

To honor his charitable commitments, he sold his only remaining asset: stock in Accuray Inc., a publicly traded company he had previously headed as CEO. This allowed Doty to fulfill pledges of $5.4 million to the university and another $20 million to other charities. Part of his Stanford donation is being used to fund the center.

Stanford University Medical Center integrates research, medical education and patient care at its three institutions - Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford Hospital & Clinics and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. For more information, please visit the Web site of the medical center's Office of Communication & Public Affairs at http://mednews. stanford. edu.

Thanks for that Jeff I m in Zabul Province Afghanistan, And since we are on the topic of compassion I m collecting things for Afghan kids, coloring books

Message 5 of 18
, Jan 24, 2009

0 Attachment

Thanks for that Jeff

I'm in Zabul Province Afghanistan, And since we are on the topic of compassion I'm collecting things for Afghan kids, coloring books crayons, small stuffed animals, warm clothing ect and small candies, they like chocolate. They can be sent to:

That natural state of compassionand connection with other peopleis something I've observed inyoung children as well.

As examples:

If you don't mind a ride in Mr. Peabody's Wayback machine...

When a young child I wasfortunate enough to spenda few years with back inthe 70s was not quite 2 years old...a coupleof instances of thiscompassion and connectionstruck me powerful andare still fresh in mymemory:

We were waiting at theairport, and I was holdingthis young boy in my arms.His older sister had beenaway for a couple of weeks.When she came off the planeand into the reception area...

I was startled to see theeyes of this young boytear up upon seeing her.It was surprising to methat a child so young wouldfeel this much intensityof emotion, compassion andconnection. I wouldn't haveexpected that
reaction insomeone so young.

Secondly, again, whileholding this same young man:

We were at a restaurantwaiting by the counterfor a table.

Seated at the counterwas a man eating a sandwich.

The young boy leaned overas asked, "What are you eating?"

The man smiled and said,"A cheeseburger. "

Obviously feeling a connection,and comfortable with theconcept of sharing,the young boy said...

"Can I have a bite?"

I still burst out laughingwhenever that comes to mind.

Best,

Jeff

PS: Are you back in the states?Oh, and the man at the counterjust turned away, withoutoffering to share a bite.

--- In meditationsocietyof america@yahoogro ups.com, sean tremblay <bethjams9@. ..> wrote:>> Great article,> This is
something I would like to know more about. The biology of compassion. As a father I observed that thier is a natural state of compassion that we as a species are born with. baby on solid food will want to share with every one around him family and strangers alike. What changes in the brain occur in life that disconnects us from our Natural State of being? As a soldier, my concern is what changes occur in the brain that causes seemingly normal people to commit savage acts, It seems there is a switch to self destruct mode that happens in the brain on a collective level, that thier are acts that many individuals are capible of commiting in a group setting and not individualy. Again what is the neural root of collective insanity?> Good topic> Sean> > --- On Fri, 1/23/09, medit8ionsociety <no_reply@yahoogroup s.com> wrote:> > From: medit8ionsociety <no_reply@yahoogroup s.com>> Subject: [Meditation Society of America] New Center At Stanford To Study Brain's Role In Compassion, Altruism> To: meditationsocietyof america@yahoogro ups.com> Date: Friday, January 23, 2009, 1:59 PM> > > > > > > New Center At Stanford To Study Brain's > Role In Compassion, Altruism> 23 Jan 2009 > > A new Center for Compassion and Altruism > Research and Education has been launched > at the Stanford University School of Medicine, > with the aim of doing scientific research on > the neural underpinnings of these thoughts and
feelings. > > His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, > provided $150,000 in seed money for the center-the > largest sum he has ever given for a scientific > venture-and has agreed to return to Stanford for > a future visit, according to Geshe Thupten Jinpa, > a translator for the Dalai Lama. > > The center is the brainchild of Jim Doty, MD, > a clinical professor of neurosurgery who recently > returned to Stanford after a period of > entrepreneurship, and neurologist William Mobley, > MD, PhD, the John E. Cahill Family Professor in > the School of Medicine. Doty is the director of > the center, which is housed within the Stanford > Institute for Neuro-Innovation and Translational Neurosciences, > > The impetus for the center began in November 2005, > when the Dalai Lama visited Stanford for a dialogue >
with scientists and Buddhist scholars that was moderated by Mobley > and focused on spiritual and scientific > explorations of human experience in the areas > of craving, suffering and choice. > > Following the visit by the Dalai Lama and based > on his own experiences and interest in these > areas, Doty initiated informal meetings with a > number of Stanford scientists including Mobley, > who is co-director of the center; Brian Knutson, > PhD, associate professor of psychology; and Gary > Steinberg, MD, PhD, professor and chair of > neurosurgery, in an effort to spur rigorous > scientific research in mind/brain interactions > focused on compassion and altruism. He also > connected with University of Oregon neuroeconomist > Bill Harbaugh, PhD, who examines altruistic > giving using functional magnetic resonance imaging. >
> In March 2008, a delegation from Stanford flew > to Seattle, where the Dalai Lama was attending a > conference related to compassion. On hearing from > the Stanford group about the goals of the planned > center and the pilot studies under way, the Dalai > Lama agreed to a return visit to Stanford and s> pontaneously volunteered the $150,000 donation > to spur continuing exploration in this area. > > This event marked the transition from what was > initially an informal gathering of like-minded > scientists to the formal creation of the center > by medical school Dean Philip Pizzo. > > "As a neurosurgeon, I can only affect a few > patients each day," Doty said. "Through the > activities of the center, we have the potential > to impact thousands to millions of people to > live fuller and more positive lives." >
> The center has now raised more than $2 million > in donations and has initiated a number of > pilot studies, some involving Buddhist and > Catholic contemplative practitioners. For example, > brain-imaging studies have demonstrated a burst > of activity in an area of the brain known as > the nucleus accumbens when these practitioners > think compassionate thoughts. The center is also > examining individuals' response to the suffering > of others, which can be either disgust or recognition > of another's suffering, followed by empathy and > a desire to take action (this is signaled by > activation of the prefrontal cortex, the seat of > initiation of motor movement). > > Questions the center wishes to address, Doty > said, include: > > - Is it possible to create a set of mental > exercises that individuals can be
taught to > make them more compassionate without them > having to spend thousands of hours in meditation > (common for Buddhist monks)? > > - Is there an explanation for why a child becomes a bully? > > - Are there ways in which children or their > parents can be taught to be more compassionate? > > - Can we create a set of exercises that will address > the issue of "compassion fatigue" in clergy and > hospital personnel? > > - Would such training benefit prison inmates to > decrease violence and recidivism? > > - Is there a place for such training in the corporate > environment to decrease the incidence of depression > and anxiety in workers? > > The center is also sponsoring a symposium, slated > for March, that will bring together a multidisciplinary > group of scientists from around the
world. Attendees > will include philosophers, contemplative scholars, > psychologists, developmentalists, primatologists, > neuroeconomists and neuroscientists working in the > area of compassion and altruism research. > > Doty brings a unique perspective on altruism to > the center. At one point, he accumulated a $75 > million fortune, part of which he committed as a > multimillion- dollar pledge to Stanford University. > But following the dot-com meltdown, Doty was $3 > million in debt even after liquidating essentially > all of his assets. > > To honor his charitable commitments, he sold his > only remaining asset: stock in Accuray Inc., a > publicly traded company he had previously headed > as CEO. This allowed Doty to fulfill pledges of > $5.4 million to the university and another $20 > million to other charities.
Part of his Stanford > donation is being used to fund the center. > > The center is located at 1215 Welch Road (Module B/room 55). More > information is available at the center's Web site at > http://compassion. stanford. edu. > > Stanford University Medical Center integrates research, medical > education and patient care at its three institutions - Stanford > University School of Medicine, Stanford Hospital & Clinics and Lucile > Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. For more information, please > visit the Web site of the medical center's Office of Communication & > Public Affairs at http://mednews. stanford. edu. > > Stanford University Medical Center > ------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------
--------- -> ----------> > Article URL: http://www.medicaln ewstoday. com/articles/ 136540.php>

>
> Thanks for that Jeff
> I'm in Zabul Province Afghanistan, And since we are on the topic of

compassion I'm collecting things for Afghan kids, coloring books
crayons, small stuffed animals, warm clothing ect and small candies,
they like chocolate. They can be sent to:

> SSG Tremblay, Sean
> RSIC South
> Team Viper
> APO, AE 09355

snip

Yo Sean,
I've posted this info elsewhere and sent it out to many others.
I really think what you are doing is walking the walk and
not just studying or talking about compassion. I hope this
excellent effort goes very well.
Peace and blessings,
Bob

Bruce Morgen

That s a pretty popular opinion on the subcontinent -- I refrain from eating flesh myself, but I also refrain from judging those do. Folks who really want to

Message 7 of 18
, Jan 24, 2009

0 Attachment

That's a pretty popular opinion
on the subcontinent -- I refrain
from eating flesh myself, but I
also refrain from judging those
do. Folks who really want to
promote vegetarianism would do
well to be as careful about what
comes out of their mouths as
they are about what goes in --
guilt is a very poor motivation
for lasting lifestyle change.
Direct insight into the karma
involved is much more effective,
and sudden interjection of
guilt mongering into a topic not
directly related is usually
counterproductive.

sean tremblay wrote:

> Huh?
>
> --- On *Sat, 1/24/09, krishnan sundaram /<krish_cost@...>/* wrote:
>
> From: krishnan sundaram <krish_cost@...>
> Subject: Re: [Meditation Society of America] New Center At
> Stanford To Study Brain's Role In Compassion, Altruism
> To: meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Saturday, January 24, 2009, 1:29 AM
>
> Compassion can never be found in a non-vegetarian.
>
> --- On *Sat, 24/1/09, medit8ionsociety /<no_reply@yahoogroup
> s.com>/* wrote:
>
> From: medit8ionsociety <no_reply@yahoogroup s.com>
> Subject: [Meditation Society of America] New Center At
> Stanford To Study Brain's Role In Compassion, Altruism
> To: meditationsocietyof america@yahoogro ups.com
> Date: Saturday, 24 January, 2009, 12:29 AM
>
> New Center At Stanford To Study Brain's
> Role In Compassion, Altruism
> 23 Jan 2009
>
> A new Center for Compassion and Altruism
> Research and Education has been launched
> at the Stanford University School of Medicine,
> with the aim of doing scientific research on
> the neural underpinnings of these thoughts and feelings.
>
> His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso,
> provided $150,000 in seed money for the center-the
> largest sum he has ever given for a scientific
> venture-and has agreed to return to Stanford for
> a future visit, according to Geshe Thupten Jinpa,
> a translator for the Dalai Lama.
>
> The center is the brainchild of Jim Doty, MD,
> a clinical professor of neurosurgery who recently
> returned to Stanford after a period of
> entrepreneurship, and neurologist William Mobley,
> MD, PhD, the John E. Cahill Family Professor in
> the School of Medicine. Doty is the director of
> the center, which is housed within the Stanford
> Institute for Neuro-Innovation and Translational Neurosciences,
>
> The impetus for the center began in November 2005,
> when the Dalai Lama visited Stanford for a dialogue
> with scientists and Buddhist scholars that was moderated by
> Mobley
> and focused on spiritual and scientific
> explorations of human experience in the areas
> of craving, suffering and choice.
>
> Following the visit by the Dalai Lama and based
> on his own experiences and interest in these
> areas, Doty initiated informal meetings with a
> number of Stanford scientists including Mobley,
> who is co-director of the center; Brian Knutson,
> PhD, associate professor of psychology; and Gary
> Steinberg, MD, PhD, professor and chair of
> neurosurgery, in an effort to spur rigorous
> scientific research in mind/brain interactions
> focused on compassion and altruism. He also
> connected with University of Oregon neuroeconomist
> Bill Harbaugh, PhD, who examines altruistic
> giving using functional magnetic resonance imaging.
>
> In March 2008, a delegation from Stanford flew
> to Seattle, where the Dalai Lama was attending a
> conference related to compassion. On hearing from
> the Stanford group about the goals of the planned
> center and the pilot studies under way, the Dalai
> Lama agreed to a return visit to Stanford and s
> pontaneously volunteered the $150,000 donation
> to spur continuing exploration in this area.
>
> This event marked the transition from what was
> initially an informal gathering of like-minded
> scientists to the formal creation of the center
> by medical school Dean Philip Pizzo.
>
> "As a neurosurgeon, I can only affect a few
> patients each day," Doty said. "Through the
> activities of the center, we have the potential
> to impact thousands to millions of people to
> live fuller and more positive lives."
>
> The center has now raised more than $2 million
> in donations and has initiated a number of
> pilot studies, some involving Buddhist and
> Catholic contemplative practitioners. For example,
> brain-imaging studies have demonstrated a burst
> of activity in an area of the brain known as
> the nucleus accumbens when these practitioners
> think compassionate thoughts. The center is also
> examining individuals' response to the suffering
> of others, which can be either disgust or recognition
> of another's suffering, followed by empathy and
> a desire to take action (this is signaled by
> activation of the prefrontal cortex, the seat of
> initiation of motor movement).
>
> Questions the center wishes to address, Doty
> said, include:
>
> - Is it possible to create a set of mental
> exercises that individuals can be taught to
> make them more compassionate without them
> having to spend thousands of hours in meditation
> (common for Buddhist monks)?
>
> - Is there an explanation for why a child becomes a bully?
>
> - Are there ways in which children or their
> parents can be taught to be more compassionate?
>
> - Can we create a set of exercises that will address
> the issue of "compassion fatigue" in clergy and
> hospital personnel?
>
> - Would such training benefit prison inmates to
> decrease violence and recidivism?
>
> - Is there a place for such training in the corporate
> environment to decrease the incidence of depression
> and anxiety in workers?
>
> The center is also sponsoring a symposium, slated
> for March, that will bring together a multidisciplinary
> group of scientists from around the world. Attendees
> will include philosophers, contemplative scholars,
> psychologists, developmentalists, primatologists,
> neuroeconomists and neuroscientists working in the
> area of compassion and altruism research.
>
> Doty brings a unique perspective on altruism to
> the center. At one point, he accumulated a $75
> million fortune, part of which he committed as a
> multimillion- dollar pledge to Stanford University.
> But following the dot-com meltdown, Doty was $3
> million in debt even after liquidating essentially
> all of his assets.
>
> To honor his charitable commitments, he sold his
> only remaining asset: stock in Accuray Inc., a
> publicly traded company he had previously headed
> as CEO. This allowed Doty to fulfill pledges of
> $5.4 million to the university and another $20
> million to other charities. Part of his Stanford
> donation is being used to fund the center.
>
> The center is located at 1215 Welch Road (Module B/room 55). More
> information is available at the center's Web site at
> http://compassion. stanford. edu.
> <http://compassion.stanford.edu./>
>
> Stanford University Medical Center integrates research, medical
> education and patient care at its three institutions - Stanford
> University School of Medicine, Stanford Hospital & Clinics and
> Lucile
> Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. For more information,
> please
> visit the Web site of the medical center's Office of
> Communication &
> Public Affairs at http://mednews. stanford. edu.
> <http://mednews.stanford.edu./>
>
> Stanford University Medical Center
> ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
> ----------
>
> Article URL: http://www.medicaln ewstoday. com/articles/
> 136540.php <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/136540.php>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Add more friends to your messenger and enjoy! Invite them now.
> <http://in.rd.yahoo.com/tagline_messenger_6/*http://messenger.yahoo.com/invite/>
>
>
>
>

sean tremblay

Thanks Bob, I apperciate that very much ... From: medit8ionsociety Subject: [Meditation Society of America] Re: Brain s Role In

sean tremblay <bethjams9@. ..> wrote:>> Thanks for that Jeff> I'm in Zabul Province Afghanistan, And since we are on the topic ofcompassion I'm collecting things for Afghan kids, coloring bookscrayons, small stuffed animals, warm clothing ect and small candies,they like chocolate. They can be sent to:> SSG Tremblay, Sean> RSIC South> Team Viper> APO, AE 09355

snip

Yo Sean,I've posted this info elsewhere and sent it out to many others.I really think what you are doing is walking the walk and not just studying or talking about compassion. I hope thisexcellent effort goes very well.Peace and blessings,Bob

sean tremblay

Out here in the mountains of Afghanistan, I d starve to death as a vegitarian! ... From: Bruce Morgen Subject: Re: [Meditation Society of

Message 9 of 18
, Jan 24, 2009

0 Attachment

Out here in the mountains of Afghanistan, I'd starve to death as a vegitarian!

That's a pretty popular opinionon the subcontinent -- I refrainfrom eating flesh myself, but Ialso refrain from judging thosedo. Folks who really want topromote vegetarianism would dowell to be as careful about whatcomes out of their mouths asthey are about what goes in --guilt is a very poor motivationfor lasting lifestyle change.Direct insight into the karmainvolved is much more effective,and sudden interjection ofguilt mongering into a topic notdirectly related is usuallycounterproductive.

sean tremblay wrote:> Huh?>> --- On *Sat, 1/24/09, krishnan sundaram /<krish_cost@yahoo. co.in>/* wrote:>> From: krishnan sundaram <krish_cost@yahoo. co.in>> Subject: Re: [Meditation Society of
America] New Center At> Stanford To Study Brain's Role In Compassion, Altruism> To: meditationsocietyof america@yahoogro ups.com> Date: Saturday, January 24, 2009, 1:29 AM>> Compassion can never be found in a non-vegetarian.>> --- On *Sat, 24/1/09, medit8ionsociety /<no_reply@yahoogro up> s.com>/* wrote:>> From: medit8ionsociety <no_reply@yahoogrou p s.com>> Subject: [Meditation Society of America] New Center At> Stanford To Study Brain's Role In Compassion, Altruism> To: meditationsocietyof america@yahoogro ups.com> Date: Saturday, 24 January, 2009, 12:29 AM>> New Center At Stanford To Study Brain's> Role In Compassion, Altruism> 23 Jan 2009>> A new Center for Compassion and Altruism> Research and
Education has been launched> at the Stanford University School of Medicine,> with the aim of doing scientific research on> the neural underpinnings of these thoughts and feelings.>> His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso,> provided $150,000 in seed money for the center-the> largest sum he has ever given for a scientific> venture-and has agreed to return to Stanford for> a future visit, according to Geshe Thupten Jinpa,> a translator for the Dalai Lama.>> The center is the brainchild of Jim Doty, MD,> a clinical professor of neurosurgery who recently> returned to Stanford after a period of> entrepreneurship, and neurologist William Mobley,> MD, PhD, the John E. Cahill Family Professor in> the School of Medicine. Doty is the director of> the center, which is housed within the Stanford> Institute for Neuro-Innovation
and Translational Neurosciences,>> The impetus for the center began in November 2005,> when the Dalai Lama visited Stanford for a dialogue> with scientists and Buddhist scholars that was moderated by> Mobley> and focused on spiritual and scientific> explorations of human experience in the areas> of craving, suffering and choice.>> Following the visit by the Dalai Lama and based> on his own experiences and interest in these> areas, Doty initiated informal meetings with a> number of Stanford scientists including Mobley,> who is co-director of the center; Brian Knutson,> PhD, associate professor of psychology; and Gary> Steinberg, MD, PhD, professor and chair of> neurosurgery, in an effort to spur rigorous> scientific research in mind/brain interactions> focused on compassion and altruism. He also> connected with
University of Oregon neuroeconomist> Bill Harbaugh, PhD, who examines altruistic> giving using functional magnetic resonance imaging.>> In March 2008, a delegation from Stanford flew> to Seattle, where the Dalai Lama was attending a> conference related to compassion. On hearing from> the Stanford group about the goals of the planned> center and the pilot studies under way, the Dalai> Lama agreed to a return visit to Stanford and s> pontaneously volunteered the $150,000 donation> to spur continuing exploration in this area.>> This event marked the transition from what was> initially an informal gathering of like-minded> scientists to the formal creation of the center> by medical school Dean Philip Pizzo.>> "As a neurosurgeon, I can only affect a few> patients each day," Doty said. "Through the> activities of the
center, we have the potential> to impact thousands to millions of people to> live fuller and more positive lives.">> The center has now raised more than $2 million> in donations and has initiated a number of> pilot studies, some involving Buddhist and> Catholic contemplative practitioners. For example,> brain-imaging studies have demonstrated a burst> of activity in an area of the brain known as> the nucleus accumbens when these practitioners> think compassionate thoughts. The center is also> examining individuals' response to the suffering> of others, which can be either disgust or recognition> of another's suffering, followed by empathy and> a desire to take action (this is signaled by> activation of the prefrontal cortex, the seat of> initiation of motor movement).>> Questions the center wishes to address, Doty>
said, include:>> - Is it possible to create a set of mental> exercises that individuals can be taught to> make them more compassionate without them> having to spend thousands of hours in meditation> (common for Buddhist monks)?>> - Is there an explanation for why a child becomes a bully?>> - Are there ways in which children or their> parents can be taught to be more compassionate?>> - Can we create a set of exercises that will address> the issue of "compassion fatigue" in clergy and> hospital personnel?>> - Would such training benefit prison inmates to> decrease violence and recidivism?>> - Is there a place for such training in the corporate> environment to decrease the incidence of depression> and anxiety in workers?>> The center is also sponsoring a symposium, slated> for March,
that will bring together a multidisciplinary> group of scientists from around the world. Attendees> will include philosophers, contemplative scholars,> psychologists, developmentalists, primatologists,> neuroeconomists and neuroscientists working in the> area of compassion and altruism research.>> Doty brings a unique perspective on altruism to> the center. At one point, he accumulated a $75> million fortune, part of which he committed as a> multimillion- dollar pledge to Stanford University.> But following the dot-com meltdown, Doty was $3> million in debt even after liquidating essentially> all of his assets.>> To honor his charitable commitments, he sold his> only remaining asset: stock in Accuray Inc., a> publicly traded company he had previously headed> as CEO. This allowed Doty to fulfill pledges of> $5.4 million to
the university and another $20> million to other charities. Part of his Stanford> donation is being used to fund the center.>> The center is located at 1215 Welch Road (Module B/room 55). More> information is available at the center's Web site at> http://compassion. stanford. edu.> <http://compassion. stanford. edu./>>> Stanford University Medical Center integrates research, medical> education and patient care at its three institutions - Stanford> University School of Medicine, Stanford Hospital & Clinics and> Lucile> Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. For more information,> please> visit the Web site of the medical center's Office of> Communication &> Public Affairs at http://mednews. stanford. edu.> <http://mednews. stanford. edu./>>> Stanford University Medical Center> ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -> ---------->> Article URL: http://www.medicaln ewstoday. com/articles/> 136540.php <http://www.medicaln ewstoday. com/articles/ 136540.php>>>> ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -> Add more friends to your messenger and enjoy! Invite them now.> <http://in.rd.
yahoo.com/ tagline_messenge r_6/*http: //messenger. yahoo.com/ invite/>>>>>

deborah5552001

Well said, Bruce. Thank you for those words of wisdom. That kind of judgmental attitude is the very antithesis of compassion. Deborah ...

Message 10 of 18
, Jan 25, 2009

0 Attachment

Well said, Bruce. Thank you for those words of wisdom.

That kind of judgmental attitude is the very antithesis of compassion.

As would the native peoples of the arctic and many other places, which is one of the reasons why treating vegetarianism as mandatory is so counterproductive --

Message 11 of 18
, Jan 25, 2009

0 Attachment

As would the native peoples of
the arctic and many other places,
which is one of the reasons why
treating vegetarianism as
mandatory is so counterproductive
-- in a fertile region like the
subcontinent, it's not surprising
that it became part of the
various (Hindu, Jain, etc.)
spiritual traditions, but there
are entire regions where humans
must depend on local fauna to
preprocess the scant available
nutrition. Of course a truly
doctrinaire vegetarian would say
"don't live there!" :-)

sean tremblay wrote:

> Out here in the mountains of Afghanistan, I'd starve to death as a
> vegitarian!
>
> --- On *Sat, 1/24/09, Bruce Morgen /<editor@...>/* wrote:
>
> From: Bruce Morgen <editor@...>
> Subject: Re: [Meditation Society of America] New Center At
> Stanford To Study Brain's Role In Compassion, Altruism
> To: meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Saturday, January 24, 2009, 9:20 PM
>
> That's a pretty popular opinion
> on the subcontinent -- I refrain
> from eating flesh myself, but I
> also refrain from judging those
> do. Folks who really want to
> promote vegetarianism would do
> well to be as careful about what
> comes out of their mouths as
> they are about what goes in --
> guilt is a very poor motivation
> for lasting lifestyle change.
> Direct insight into the karma
> involved is much more effective,
> and sudden interjection of
> guilt mongering into a topic not
> directly related is usually
> counterproductive.
>
> sean tremblay wrote:
> > Huh?
> >
> > --- On *Sat, 1/24/09, krishnan sundaram /<krish_cost@yahoo.
> co.in <mailto:krish_cost%40yahoo.co.in>>/* wrote:
> >
> > From: krishnan sundaram <krish_cost@yahoo. co.in
> <mailto:krish_cost%40yahoo.co.in>>
> > Subject: Re: [Meditation Society of America] New Center At
> > Stanford To Study Brain's Role In Compassion, Altruism
> > To: meditationsocietyof america@yahoogro ups.com
> <mailto:meditationsocietyofamerica%40yahoogroups.com>
> > Date: Saturday, January 24, 2009, 1:29 AM
> >
> > Compassion can never be found in a non-vegetarian.
> >
> > --- On *Sat, 24/1/09, medit8ionsociety /<no_reply@yahoogro up
> > s.com>/* wrote:
> >
> > From: medit8ionsociety <no_reply@yahoogrou p s.com>
> > Subject: [Meditation Society of America] New Center At
> > Stanford To Study Brain's Role In Compassion, Altruism
> > To: meditationsocietyof america@yahoogro ups.com
> > Date: Saturday, 24 January, 2009, 12:29 AM
> >
> > New Center At Stanford To Study Brain's
> > Role In Compassion, Altruism
> > 23 Jan 2009
> >
> > A new Center for Compassion and Altruism
> > Research and Education has been launched
> > at the Stanford University School of Medicine,
> > with the aim of doing scientific research on
> > the neural underpinnings of these thoughts and feelings.
> >
> > His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso,
> > provided $150,000 in seed money for the center-the
> > largest sum he has ever given for a scientific
> > venture-and has agreed to return to Stanford for
> > a future visit, according to Geshe Thupten Jinpa,
> > a translator for the Dalai Lama.
> >
> > The center is the brainchild of Jim Doty, MD,
> > a clinical professor of neurosurgery who recently
> > returned to Stanford after a period of
> > entrepreneurship, and neurologist William Mobley,
> > MD, PhD, the John E. Cahill Family Professor in
> > the School of Medicine. Doty is the director of
> > the center, which is housed within the Stanford
> > Institute for Neuro-Innovation and Translational Neurosciences,
> >
> > The impetus for the center began in November 2005,
> > when the Dalai Lama visited Stanford for a dialogue
> > with scientists and Buddhist scholars that was moderated by
> > Mobley
> > and focused on spiritual and scientific
> > explorations of human experience in the areas
> > of craving, suffering and choice.
> >
> > Following the visit by the Dalai Lama and based
> > on his own experiences and interest in these
> > areas, Doty initiated informal meetings with a
> > number of Stanford scientists including Mobley,
> > who is co-director of the center; Brian Knutson,
> > PhD, associate professor of psychology; and Gary
> > Steinberg, MD, PhD, professor and chair of
> > neurosurgery, in an effort to spur rigorous
> > scientific research in mind/brain interactions
> > focused on compassion and altruism. He also
> > connected with University of Oregon neuroeconomist
> > Bill Harbaugh, PhD, who examines altruistic
> > giving using functional magnetic resonance imaging.
> >
> > In March 2008, a delegation from Stanford flew
> > to Seattle, where the Dalai Lama was attending a
> > conference related to compassion. On hearing from
> > the Stanford group about the goals of the planned
> > center and the pilot studies under way, the Dalai
> > Lama agreed to a return visit to Stanford and s
> > pontaneously volunteered the $150,000 donation
> > to spur continuing exploration in this area.
> >
> > This event marked the transition from what was
> > initially an informal gathering of like-minded
> > scientists to the formal creation of the center
> > by medical school Dean Philip Pizzo.
> >
> > "As a neurosurgeon, I can only affect a few
> > patients each day," Doty said. "Through the
> > activities of the center, we have the potential
> > to impact thousands to millions of people to
> > live fuller and more positive lives."
> >
> > The center has now raised more than $2 million
> > in donations and has initiated a number of
> > pilot studies, some involving Buddhist and
> > Catholic contemplative practitioners. For example,
> > brain-imaging studies have demonstrated a burst
> > of activity in an area of the brain known as
> > the nucleus accumbens when these practitioners
> > think compassionate thoughts. The center is also
> > examining individuals' response to the suffering
> > of others, which can be either disgust or recognition
> > of another's suffering, followed by empathy and
> > a desire to take action (this is signaled by
> > activation of the prefrontal cortex, the seat of
> > initiation of motor movement).
> >
> > Questions the center wishes to address, Doty
> > said, include:
> >
> > - Is it possible to create a set of mental
> > exercises that individuals can be taught to
> > make them more compassionate without them
> > having to spend thousands of hours in meditation
> > (common for Buddhist monks)?
> >
> > - Is there an explanation for why a child becomes a bully?
> >
> > - Are there ways in which children or their
> > parents can be taught to be more compassionate?
> >
> > - Can we create a set of exercises that will address
> > the issue of "compassion fatigue" in clergy and
> > hospital personnel?
> >
> > - Would such training benefit prison inmates to
> > decrease violence and recidivism?
> >
> > - Is there a place for such training in the corporate
> > environment to decrease the incidence of depression
> > and anxiety in workers?
> >
> > The center is also sponsoring a symposium, slated
> > for March, that will bring together a multidisciplinary
> > group of scientists from around the world. Attendees
> > will include philosophers, contemplative scholars,
> > psychologists, developmentalists, primatologists,
> > neuroeconomists and neuroscientists working in the
> > area of compassion and altruism research.
> >
> > Doty brings a unique perspective on altruism to
> > the center. At one point, he accumulated a $75
> > million fortune, part of which he committed as a
> > multimillion- dollar pledge to Stanford University.
> > But following the dot-com meltdown, Doty was $3
> > million in debt even after liquidating essentially
> > all of his assets.
> >
> > To honor his charitable commitments, he sold his
> > only remaining asset: stock in Accuray Inc., a
> > publicly traded company he had previously headed
> > as CEO. This allowed Doty to fulfill pledges of
> > $5.4 million to the university and another $20
> > million to other charities. Part of his Stanford
> > donation is being used to fund the center.
> >
> > The center is located at 1215 Welch Road (Module B/room 55). More
> > information is available at the center's Web site at
> > http://compassion. <http://compassion./> stanford. edu.
> > <http://compassion. stanford. edu./
> <http://compassion.stanford.edu./>>
> >
> > Stanford University Medical Center integrates research, medical
> > education and patient care at its three institutions - Stanford
> > University School of Medicine, Stanford Hospital & Clinics and
> > Lucile
> > Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. For more information,
> > please
> > visit the Web site of the medical center's Office of
> > Communication &
> > Public Affairs at http://mednews. <http://mednews./> stanford. edu.
> > <http://mednews. stanford. edu./ <http://mednews.stanford.edu./>>
> >
> > Stanford University Medical Center
> > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
> > ----------
> >
> > Article URL: http://www.medicaln <http://www.medicaln/>
> ewstoday. com/articles/
> > 136540.php <http://www.medicaln ewstoday. com/articles/
> 136540.php <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/136540.php>>
> >
> >
> > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
> > Add more friends to your messenger and enjoy! Invite them now.
> > <http://in.rd. yahoo.com/ tagline_messenge r_6/*http:
> //messenger. yahoo.com/ invite/
> <http://in.rd.yahoo.com/tagline_messenger_6/*http://messenger.yahoo.com/invite/>>
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>

Bruce Morgen

Thanks for the kind acknowledgment, Deborah.

Message 12 of 18
, Jan 25, 2009

0 Attachment

Thanks for the kind acknowledgment,
Deborah.

deborah5552001 wrote:

> Well said, Bruce. Thank you for those words of wisdom.
>
> That kind of judgmental attitude is the very antithesis of compassion.
>
> Deborah
>
>
> --- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, Bruce Morgen
> <editor@...> wrote:
>
>> That's a pretty popular opinion
>> on the subcontinent -- I refrain
>> from eating flesh myself, but I
>> also refrain from judging those
>> do. Folks who really want to
>> promote vegetarianism would do
>> well to be as careful about what
>> comes out of their mouths as
>> they are about what goes in --
>> guilt is a very poor motivation
>> for lasting lifestyle change.
>> Direct insight into the karma
>> involved is much more effective,
>> and sudden interjection of
>> guilt mongering into a topic not
>> directly related is usually
>> counterproductive.
>>
>>
>> sean tremblay wrote:
>>
>>> Huh?
>>>
>>> --- On *Sat, 1/24/09, krishnan sundaram /<krish_cost@...>/* wrote:
>>>
>>> From: krishnan sundaram <krish_cost@...>
>>> Subject: Re: [Meditation Society of America] New Center At
>>> Stanford To Study Brain's Role In Compassion, Altruism
>>> To: meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com
>>> Date: Saturday, January 24, 2009, 1:29 AM
>>>
>>> Compassion can never be found in a non-vegetarian.
>>>
>>> y of America] New Center At
>>> Dean Philip Pizzo.
>>> > > -------------------------------------------------

krishnan sundaram

Inscription in an Indian temple compassion can never come to a flesh eater ... From: Bruce Morgen Subject: Re: [Meditation Society of

Message 13 of 18
, Jan 25, 2009

0 Attachment

Inscription in an Indian temple "compassion can never come to a flesh eater"

That's a pretty popular opinionon the subcontinent -- I refrainfrom eating flesh myself, but Ialso refrain from judging thosedo. Folks who really want topromote vegetarianism would dowell to be as careful about whatcomes out of their mouths asthey are about what goes in --guilt is a very poor motivationfor lasting lifestyle change.Direct insight into the karmainvolved is much more effective,and sudden interjection ofguilt mongering into a topic notdirectly related is usuallycounterproductive.

sean tremblay wrote:> Huh?>> --- On *Sat, 1/24/09, krishnan sundaram /<krish_cost@yahoo. co.in>/* wrote:>> From: krishnan sundaram <krish_cost@yahoo. co.in>> Subject: Re: [Meditation Society of
America] New Center At> Stanford To Study Brain's Role In Compassion, Altruism> To: meditationsocietyof america@yahoogro ups.com> Date: Saturday, January 24, 2009, 1:29 AM>> Compassion can never be found in a non-vegetarian.>> --- On *Sat, 24/1/09, medit8ionsociety /<no_reply@yahoogro up> s.com>/* wrote:>> From: medit8ionsociety <no_reply@yahoogrou p s.com>> Subject: [Meditation Society of America] New Center At> Stanford To Study Brain's Role In Compassion, Altruism> To: meditationsocietyof america@yahoogro ups.com> Date: Saturday, 24 January, 2009, 12:29 AM>> New Center At Stanford To Study Brain's> Role In Compassion, Altruism> 23 Jan 2009>> A new Center for Compassion and Altruism> Research and
Education has been launched> at the Stanford University School of Medicine,> with the aim of doing scientific research on> the neural underpinnings of these thoughts and feelings.>> His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso,> provided $150,000 in seed money for the center-the> largest sum he has ever given for a scientific> venture-and has agreed to return to Stanford for> a future visit, according to Geshe Thupten Jinpa,> a translator for the Dalai Lama.>> The center is the brainchild of Jim Doty, MD,> a clinical professor of neurosurgery who recently> returned to Stanford after a period of> entrepreneurship, and neurologist William Mobley,> MD, PhD, the John E. Cahill Family Professor in> the School of Medicine. Doty is the director of> the center, which is housed within the Stanford> Institute for Neuro-Innovation
and Translational Neurosciences,>> The impetus for the center began in November 2005,> when the Dalai Lama visited Stanford for a dialogue> with scientists and Buddhist scholars that was moderated by> Mobley> and focused on spiritual and scientific> explorations of human experience in the areas> of craving, suffering and choice.>> Following the visit by the Dalai Lama and based> on his own experiences and interest in these> areas, Doty initiated informal meetings with a> number of Stanford scientists including Mobley,> who is co-director of the center; Brian Knutson,> PhD, associate professor of psychology; and Gary> Steinberg, MD, PhD, professor and chair of> neurosurgery, in an effort to spur rigorous> scientific research in mind/brain interactions> focused on compassion and altruism. He also> connected with
University of Oregon neuroeconomist> Bill Harbaugh, PhD, who examines altruistic> giving using functional magnetic resonance imaging.>> In March 2008, a delegation from Stanford flew> to Seattle, where the Dalai Lama was attending a> conference related to compassion. On hearing from> the Stanford group about the goals of the planned> center and the pilot studies under way, the Dalai> Lama agreed to a return visit to Stanford and s> pontaneously volunteered the $150,000 donation> to spur continuing exploration in this area.>> This event marked the transition from what was> initially an informal gathering of like-minded> scientists to the formal creation of the center> by medical school Dean Philip Pizzo.>> "As a neurosurgeon, I can only affect a few> patients each day," Doty said. "Through the> activities of the
center, we have the potential> to impact thousands to millions of people to> live fuller and more positive lives.">> The center has now raised more than $2 million> in donations and has initiated a number of> pilot studies, some involving Buddhist and> Catholic contemplative practitioners. For example,> brain-imaging studies have demonstrated a burst> of activity in an area of the brain known as> the nucleus accumbens when these practitioners> think compassionate thoughts. The center is also> examining individuals' response to the suffering> of others, which can be either disgust or recognition> of another's suffering, followed by empathy and> a desire to take action (this is signaled by> activation of the prefrontal cortex, the seat of> initiation of motor movement).>> Questions the center wishes to address, Doty>
said, include:>> - Is it possible to create a set of mental> exercises that individuals can be taught to> make them more compassionate without them> having to spend thousands of hours in meditation> (common for Buddhist monks)?>> - Is there an explanation for why a child becomes a bully?>> - Are there ways in which children or their> parents can be taught to be more compassionate?>> - Can we create a set of exercises that will address> the issue of "compassion fatigue" in clergy and> hospital personnel?>> - Would such training benefit prison inmates to> decrease violence and recidivism?>> - Is there a place for such training in the corporate> environment to decrease the incidence of depression> and anxiety in workers?>> The center is also sponsoring a symposium, slated> for March,
that will bring together a multidisciplinary> group of scientists from around the world. Attendees> will include philosophers, contemplative scholars,> psychologists, developmentalists, primatologists,> neuroeconomists and neuroscientists working in the> area of compassion and altruism research.>> Doty brings a unique perspective on altruism to> the center. At one point, he accumulated a $75> million fortune, part of which he committed as a> multimillion- dollar pledge to Stanford University.> But following the dot-com meltdown, Doty was $3> million in debt even after liquidating essentially> all of his assets.>> To honor his charitable commitments, he sold his> only remaining asset: stock in Accuray Inc., a> publicly traded company he had previously headed> as CEO. This allowed Doty to fulfill pledges of> $5.4 million to
the university and another $20> million to other charities. Part of his Stanford> donation is being used to fund the center.>> The center is located at 1215 Welch Road (Module B/room 55). More> information is available at the center's Web site at> http://compassion. stanford. edu.> <http://compassion. stanford. edu./>>> Stanford University Medical Center integrates research, medical> education and patient care at its three institutions - Stanford> University School of Medicine, Stanford Hospital & Clinics and> Lucile> Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. For more information,> please> visit the Web site of the medical center's Office of> Communication &> Public Affairs at http://mednews. stanford. edu.> <http://mednews. stanford. edu./>>> Stanford University Medical Center> ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -> ---------->> Article URL: http://www.medicaln ewstoday. com/articles/> 136540.php <http://www.medicaln ewstoday. com/articles/ 136540.php>>>> ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -> Add more friends to your messenger and enjoy! Invite them now.> <http://in.rd.
yahoo.com/ tagline_messenge r_6/*http: //messenger. yahoo.com/ invite/>>>>>

Compassion includeds compassion towards others who
eat flesh, be it for health, economic, ignorance, or whatever
reason. I do realize that the inscription was probably
meant to be a warning or reminder or for some well
intended motivation, but its use of "...never..."
seems a bit uncompassionate.
Peace and blessings,
Bob (45 years of being a vegitarian)

> To: meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Sunday, 25 January, 2009, 7:50 AM
>
>
>
>
>
>
> That's a pretty popular opinion
> on the subcontinent -- I refrain
> from eating flesh myself, but I
> also refrain from judging those
> do. Folks who really want to
> promote vegetarianism would do
> well to be as careful about what
> comes out of their mouths as
> they are about what goes in --
> guilt is a very poor motivation
> for lasting lifestyle change.
> Direct insight into the karma
> involved is much more effective,
> and sudden interjection of
> guilt mongering into a topic not
> directly related is usually
> counterproductive.
>
> sean tremblay wrote:
> > Huh?
> >
> > --- On *Sat, 1/24/09, krishnan sundaram /<krish_cost@yahoo.

co.in>/* wrote:

> >
> > From: krishnan sundaram <krish_cost@yahoo. co.in>
> > Subject: Re: [Meditation Society of America] New Center At
> > Stanford To Study Brain's Role In Compassion, Altruism
> > To: meditationsocietyof america@yahoogro ups.com
> > Date: Saturday, January 24, 2009, 1:29 AM
> >
> > Compassion can never be found in a non-vegetarian.
> >
> > --- On *Sat, 24/1/09, medit8ionsociety /<no_reply@yahoogro up
> > s.com>/* wrote:
> >
> > From: medit8ionsociety <no_reply@yahoogrou p s.com>
> > Subject: [Meditation Society of America] New Center At
> > Stanford To Study Brain's Role In Compassion, Altruism
> > To: meditationsocietyof america@yahoogro ups.com
> > Date: Saturday, 24 January, 2009, 12:29 AM
> >
> > New Center At Stanford To Study Brain's
> > Role In Compassion, Altruism
> > 23 Jan 2009
> >
> > A new Center for Compassion and Altruism
> > Research and Education has been launched
> > at the Stanford University School of Medicine,
> > with the aim of doing scientific research on
> > the neural underpinnings of these thoughts and feelings.
> >
> > His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso,
> > provided $150,000 in seed money for the center-the
> > largest sum he has ever given for a scientific
> > venture-and has agreed to return to Stanford for
> > a future visit, according to Geshe Thupten Jinpa,
> > a translator for the Dalai Lama.
> >
> > The center is the brainchild of Jim Doty, MD,
> > a clinical professor of neurosurgery who recently
> > returned to Stanford after a period of
> > entrepreneurship, and neurologist William Mobley,
> > MD, PhD, the John E. Cahill Family Professor in
> > the School of Medicine. Doty is the director of
> > the center, which is housed within the Stanford
> > Institute for Neuro-Innovation and Translational Neurosciences,
> >
> > The impetus for the center began in November 2005,
> > when the Dalai Lama visited Stanford for a dialogue
> > with scientists and Buddhist scholars that was moderated by
> > Mobley
> > and focused on spiritual and scientific
> > explorations of human experience in the areas
> > of craving, suffering and choice.
> >
> > Following the visit by the Dalai Lama and based
> > on his own experiences and interest in these
> > areas, Doty initiated informal meetings with a
> > number of Stanford scientists including Mobley,
> > who is co-director of the center; Brian Knutson,
> > PhD, associate professor of psychology; and Gary
> > Steinberg, MD, PhD, professor and chair of
> > neurosurgery, in an effort to spur rigorous
> > scientific research in mind/brain interactions
> > focused on compassion and altruism. He also
> > connected with University of Oregon neuroeconomist
> > Bill Harbaugh, PhD, who examines altruistic
> > giving using functional magnetic resonance imaging.
> >
> > In March 2008, a delegation from Stanford flew
> > to Seattle, where the Dalai Lama was attending a
> > conference related to compassion. On hearing from
> > the Stanford group about the goals of the planned
> > center and the pilot studies under way, the Dalai
> > Lama agreed to a return visit to Stanford and s
> > pontaneously volunteered the $150,000 donation
> > to spur continuing exploration in this area.
> >
> > This event marked the transition from what was
> > initially an informal gathering of like-minded
> > scientists to the formal creation of the center
> > by medical school Dean Philip Pizzo.
> >
> > "As a neurosurgeon, I can only affect a few
> > patients each day," Doty said. "Through the
> > activities of the center, we have the potential
> > to impact thousands to millions of people to
> > live fuller and more positive lives."
> >
> > The center has now raised more than $2 million
> > in donations and has initiated a number of
> > pilot studies, some involving Buddhist and
> > Catholic contemplative practitioners. For example,
> > brain-imaging studies have demonstrated a burst
> > of activity in an area of the brain known as
> > the nucleus accumbens when these practitioners
> > think compassionate thoughts. The center is also
> > examining individuals' response to the suffering
> > of others, which can be either disgust or recognition
> > of another's suffering, followed by empathy and
> > a desire to take action (this is signaled by
> > activation of the prefrontal cortex, the seat of
> > initiation of motor movement).
> >
> > Questions the center wishes to address, Doty
> > said, include:
> >
> > - Is it possible to create a set of mental
> > exercises that individuals can be taught to
> > make them more compassionate without them
> > having to spend thousands of hours in meditation
> > (common for Buddhist monks)?
> >
> > - Is there an explanation for why a child becomes a bully?
> >
> > - Are there ways in which children or their
> > parents can be taught to be more compassionate?
> >
> > - Can we create a set of exercises that will address
> > the issue of "compassion fatigue" in clergy and
> > hospital personnel?
> >
> > - Would such training benefit prison inmates to
> > decrease violence and recidivism?
> >
> > - Is there a place for such training in the corporate
> > environment to decrease the incidence of depression
> > and anxiety in workers?
> >
> > The center is also sponsoring a symposium, slated
> > for March, that will bring together a multidisciplinary
> > group of scientists from around the world. Attendees
> > will include philosophers, contemplative scholars,
> > psychologists, developmentalists, primatologists,
> > neuroeconomists and neuroscientists working in the
> > area of compassion and altruism research.
> >
> > Doty brings a unique perspective on altruism to
> > the center. At one point, he accumulated a $75
> > million fortune, part of which he committed as a
> > multimillion- dollar pledge to Stanford University.
> > But following the dot-com meltdown, Doty was $3
> > million in debt even after liquidating essentially
> > all of his assets.
> >
> > To honor his charitable commitments, he sold his
> > only remaining asset: stock in Accuray Inc., a
> > publicly traded company he had previously headed
> > as CEO. This allowed Doty to fulfill pledges of
> > $5.4 million to the university and another $20
> > million to other charities. Part of his Stanford
> > donation is being used to fund the center.
> >
> > The center is located at 1215 Welch Road (Module B/room 55). More
> > information is available at the center's Web site at
> > http://compassion. stanford. edu.
> > <http://compassion. stanford. edu./>
> >
> > Stanford University Medical Center integrates research, medical
> > education and patient care at its three institutions - Stanford
> > University School of Medicine, Stanford Hospital & Clinics and
> > Lucile
> > Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. For more information,
> > please
> > visit the Web site of the medical center's Office of
> > Communication &
> > Public Affairs at http://mednews. stanford. edu.
> > <http://mednews. stanford. edu./>
> >
> > Stanford University Medical Center
> > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
> > ----------
> >
> > Article URL: http://www.medicaln ewstoday. com/articles/
> > 136540.php <http://www.medicaln ewstoday. com/articles/

That's a pretty popular opinionon the subcontinent -- I refrainfrom eating flesh myself, but Ialso refrain from judging thosedo. Folks who really want topromote vegetarianism would dowell to be as careful about whatcomes out of their mouths asthey are about what goes in --guilt is a very poor motivationfor lasting lifestyle change.Direct insight into the karmainvolved is much more effective,and sudden interjection ofguilt mongering into a topic notdirectly related is usuallycounterproductive.

sean tremblay wrote:> Huh?>> --- On *Sat, 1/24/09, krishnan sundaram /<krish_cost@yahoo. co.in>/* wrote:>> From: krishnan sundaram <krish_cost@yahoo. co.in>> Subject: Re: [Meditation Society of
America] New Center At> Stanford To Study Brain's Role In Compassion, Altruism> To: meditationsocietyof america@yahoogro ups.com> Date: Saturday, January 24, 2009, 1:29 AM>> Compassion can never be found in a non-vegetarian.>> --- On *Sat, 24/1/09, medit8ionsociety /<no_reply@yahoogro up> s.com>/* wrote:>> From: medit8ionsociety <no_reply@yahoogrou p s.com>> Subject: [Meditation Society of America] New Center At> Stanford To Study Brain's Role In Compassion, Altruism> To: meditationsocietyof america@yahoogro ups.com> Date: Saturday, 24 January, 2009, 12:29 AM>> New Center At Stanford To Study Brain's> Role In Compassion, Altruism> 23 Jan 2009>> A new Center for Compassion and Altruism> Research and
Education has been launched> at the Stanford University School of Medicine,> with the aim of doing scientific research on> the neural underpinnings of these thoughts and feelings.>> His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso,> provided $150,000 in seed money for the center-the> largest sum he has ever given for a scientific> venture-and has agreed to return to Stanford for> a future visit, according to Geshe Thupten Jinpa,> a translator for the Dalai Lama.>> The center is the brainchild of Jim Doty, MD,> a clinical professor of neurosurgery who recently> returned to Stanford after a period of> entrepreneurship, and neurologist William Mobley,> MD, PhD, the John E. Cahill Family Professor in> the School of Medicine. Doty is the director of> the center, which is housed within the Stanford> Institute for Neuro-Innovation
and Translational Neurosciences,>> The impetus for the center began in November 2005,> when the Dalai Lama visited Stanford for a dialogue> with scientists and Buddhist scholars that was moderated by> Mobley> and focused on spiritual and scientific> explorations of human experience in the areas> of craving, suffering and choice.>> Following the visit by the Dalai Lama and based> on his own experiences and interest in these> areas, Doty initiated informal meetings with a> number of Stanford scientists including Mobley,> who is co-director of the center; Brian Knutson,> PhD, associate professor of psychology; and Gary> Steinberg, MD, PhD, professor and chair of> neurosurgery, in an effort to spur rigorous> scientific research in mind/brain interactions> focused on compassion and altruism. He also> connected with
University of Oregon neuroeconomist> Bill Harbaugh, PhD, who examines altruistic> giving using functional magnetic resonance imaging.>> In March 2008, a delegation from Stanford flew> to Seattle, where the Dalai Lama was attending a> conference related to compassion. On hearing from> the Stanford group about the goals of the planned> center and the pilot studies under way, the Dalai> Lama agreed to a return visit to Stanford and s> pontaneously volunteered the $150,000 donation> to spur continuing exploration in this area.>> This event marked the transition from what was> initially an informal gathering of like-minded> scientists to the formal creation of the center> by medical school Dean Philip Pizzo.>> "As a neurosurgeon, I can only affect a few> patients each day," Doty said. "Through the> activities of the
center, we have the potential> to impact thousands to millions of people to> live fuller and more positive lives.">> The center has now raised more than $2 million> in donations and has initiated a number of> pilot studies, some involving Buddhist and> Catholic contemplative practitioners. For example,> brain-imaging studies have demonstrated a burst> of activity in an area of the brain known as> the nucleus accumbens when these practitioners> think compassionate thoughts. The center is also> examining individuals' response to the suffering> of others, which can be either disgust or recognition> of another's suffering, followed by empathy and> a desire to take action (this is signaled by> activation of the prefrontal cortex, the seat of> initiation of motor movement).>> Questions the center wishes to address, Doty>
said, include:>> - Is it possible to create a set of mental> exercises that individuals can be taught to> make them more compassionate without them> having to spend thousands of hours in meditation> (common for Buddhist monks)?>> - Is there an explanation for why a child becomes a bully?>> - Are there ways in which children or their> parents can be taught to be more compassionate?>> - Can we create a set of exercises that will address> the issue of "compassion fatigue" in clergy and> hospital personnel?>> - Would such training benefit prison inmates to> decrease violence and recidivism?>> - Is there a place for such training in the corporate> environment to decrease the incidence of depression> and anxiety in workers?>> The center is also sponsoring a symposium, slated> for March,
that will bring together a multidisciplinary> group of scientists from around the world. Attendees> will include philosophers, contemplative scholars,> psychologists, developmentalists, primatologists,> neuroeconomists and neuroscientists working in the> area of compassion and altruism research.>> Doty brings a unique perspective on altruism to> the center. At one point, he accumulated a $75> million fortune, part of which he committed as a> multimillion- dollar pledge to Stanford University.> But following the dot-com meltdown, Doty was $3> million in debt even after liquidating essentially> all of his assets.>> To honor his charitable commitments, he sold his> only remaining asset: stock in Accuray Inc., a> publicly traded company he had previously headed> as CEO. This allowed Doty to fulfill pledges of> $5.4 million to
the university and another $20> million to other charities. Part of his Stanford> donation is being used to fund the center.>> The center is located at 1215 Welch Road (Module B/room 55). More> information is available at the center's Web site at> http://compassion. stanford. edu.> <http://compassion. stanford. edu./>>> Stanford University Medical Center integrates research, medical> education and patient care at its three institutions - Stanford> University School of Medicine, Stanford Hospital & Clinics and> Lucile> Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. For more information,> please> visit the Web site of the medical center's Office of> Communication &> Public Affairs at http://mednews. stanford. edu.> <http://mednews. stanford. edu./>>> Stanford University Medical Center> ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -> ---------->> Article URL: http://www.medicaln ewstoday. com/articles/> 136540.php <http://www.medicaln ewstoday. com/articles/ 136540.php>>>> ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -> Add more friends to your messenger and enjoy! Invite them now.> <http://in.rd.
yahoo.com/ tagline_messenge r_6/*http: //messenger. yahoo.com/ invite/>>>>>

--- In meditationsocietyof america@yahoogro ups.com, krishnan sundaram <krish_cost@ ...> wrote:>> Inscription in an Indian temple "compassion can never come to a flesh eater"> Compassion includeds compassion towards others whoeat flesh, be it for health, economic, ignorance, or whatever reason. I do realize that the inscription was probably meant to be a warning or reminder or for some well intended motivation, but its use of "...never... " seems a bit uncompassionate.Peace and blessings,Bob (45 years of being a vegitarian)> --- On Sun, 25/1/09, Bruce Morgen <editor@...> wrote:> > From: Bruce Morgen <editor@...>> Subject: Re: [Meditation Society of America] New Center At Stanford To Study Brain's Role In Compassion, Altruism> To: meditationsocietyof america@yahoogro ups.com> Date: Sunday, 25 January, 2009, 7:50 AM> > > > > > > That's a pretty popular opinion> on the subcontinent -- I refrain> from eating flesh myself, but I> also refrain from judging those> do. Folks who really want to> promote vegetarianism would do> well to be as careful about what> comes out of their mouths as> they are about what goes in --> guilt is a very poor motivation> for lasting lifestyle change.> Direct insight into the karma> involved is much more effective,> and sudden interjection of> guilt mongering into a topic not> directly related is usually> counterproductive.> > sean tremblay wrote:> > Huh?> >>
> --- On *Sat, 1/24/09, krishnan sundaram /<krish_cost@ yahoo. co.in>/* wrote:> >> > From: krishnan sundaram <krish_cost@ yahoo. co.in>> > Subject: Re: [Meditation Society of America] New Center At> > Stanford To Study Brain's Role In Compassion, Altruism> > To: meditationsocietyof america@yahoogro ups.com> > Date: Saturday, January 24, 2009, 1:29 AM> >> > Compassion can never be found in a non-vegetarian.> >> > --- On *Sat, 24/1/09, medit8ionsociety /<no_reply@yahoogro up> > s.com>/* wrote:> >> > From: medit8ionsociety <no_reply@yahoogrou p s.com>> > Subject: [Meditation Society of America] New Center At> > Stanford To Study Brain's Role In Compassion, Altruism> > To: meditationsocietyof america@yahoogro ups.com> > Date: Saturday, 24 January, 2009, 12:29
AM> >> > New Center At Stanford To Study Brain's> > Role In Compassion, Altruism> > 23 Jan 2009> >> > A new Center for Compassion and Altruism> > Research and Education has been launched> > at the Stanford University School of Medicine,> > with the aim of doing scientific research on> > the neural underpinnings of these thoughts and feelings.> >> > His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso,> > provided $150,000 in seed money for the center-the> > largest sum he has ever given for a scientific> > venture-and has agreed to return to Stanford for> > a future visit, according to Geshe Thupten Jinpa,> > a translator for the Dalai Lama.> >> > The center is the brainchild of Jim Doty, MD,> > a clinical professor of neurosurgery who recently> >
returned to Stanford after a period of> > entrepreneurship, and neurologist William Mobley,> > MD, PhD, the John E. Cahill Family Professor in> > the School of Medicine. Doty is the director of> > the center, which is housed within the Stanford> > Institute for Neuro-Innovation and Translational Neurosciences,> >> > The impetus for the center began in November 2005,> > when the Dalai Lama visited Stanford for a dialogue> > with scientists and Buddhist scholars that was moderated by> > Mobley> > and focused on spiritual and scientific> > explorations of human experience in the areas> > of craving, suffering and choice.> >> > Following the visit by the Dalai Lama and based> > on his own experiences and interest in these> > areas, Doty initiated informal meetings with a> > number
of Stanford scientists including Mobley,> > who is co-director of the center; Brian Knutson,> > PhD, associate professor of psychology; and Gary> > Steinberg, MD, PhD, professor and chair of> > neurosurgery, in an effort to spur rigorous> > scientific research in mind/brain interactions> > focused on compassion and altruism. He also> > connected with University of Oregon neuroeconomist> > Bill Harbaugh, PhD, who examines altruistic> > giving using functional magnetic resonance imaging.> >> > In March 2008, a delegation from Stanford flew> > to Seattle, where the Dalai Lama was attending a> > conference related to compassion. On hearing from> > the Stanford group about the goals of the planned> > center and the pilot studies under way, the Dalai> > Lama agreed to a return visit to Stanford and
s> > pontaneously volunteered the $150,000 donation> > to spur continuing exploration in this area.> >> > This event marked the transition from what was> > initially an informal gathering of like-minded> > scientists to the formal creation of the center> > by medical school Dean Philip Pizzo.> >> > "As a neurosurgeon, I can only affect a few> > patients each day," Doty said. "Through the> > activities of the center, we have the potential> > to impact thousands to millions of people to> > live fuller and more positive lives."> >> > The center has now raised more than $2 million> > in donations and has initiated a number of> > pilot studies, some involving Buddhist and> > Catholic contemplative practitioners. For example,> > brain-imaging studies have demonstrated a
burst> > of activity in an area of the brain known as> > the nucleus accumbens when these practitioners> > think compassionate thoughts. The center is also> > examining individuals' response to the suffering> > of others, which can be either disgust or recognition> > of another's suffering, followed by empathy and> > a desire to take action (this is signaled by> > activation of the prefrontal cortex, the seat of> > initiation of motor movement).> >> > Questions the center wishes to address, Doty> > said, include:> >> > - Is it possible to create a set of mental> > exercises that individuals can be taught to> > make them more compassionate without them> > having to spend thousands of hours in meditation> > (common for Buddhist monks)?> >> > - Is there an
explanation for why a child becomes a bully?> >> > - Are there ways in which children or their> > parents can be taught to be more compassionate?> >> > - Can we create a set of exercises that will address> > the issue of "compassion fatigue" in clergy and> > hospital personnel?> >> > - Would such training benefit prison inmates to> > decrease violence and recidivism?> >> > - Is there a place for such training in the corporate> > environment to decrease the incidence of depression> > and anxiety in workers?> >> > The center is also sponsoring a symposium, slated> > for March, that will bring together a multidisciplinary> > group of scientists from around the world. Attendees> > will include philosophers, contemplative scholars,> > psychologists,
developmentalists, primatologists,> > neuroeconomists and neuroscientists working in the> > area of compassion and altruism research.> >> > Doty brings a unique perspective on altruism to> > the center. At one point, he accumulated a $75> > million fortune, part of which he committed as a> > multimillion- dollar pledge to Stanford University.> > But following the dot-com meltdown, Doty was $3> > million in debt even after liquidating essentially> > all of his assets.> >> > To honor his charitable commitments, he sold his> > only remaining asset: stock in Accuray Inc., a> > publicly traded company he had previously headed> > as CEO. This allowed Doty to fulfill pledges of> > $5.4 million to the university and another $20> > million to other charities. Part of his Stanford> >
donation is being used to fund the center.> >> > The center is located at 1215 Welch Road (Module B/room 55). More> > information is available at the center's Web site at> > http://compassion. stanford. edu.> > <http://compassion. stanford. edu./>> >> > Stanford University Medical Center integrates research, medical> > education and patient care at its three institutions - Stanford> > University School of Medicine, Stanford Hospital & Clinics and> > Lucile> > Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. For more information,> > please> > visit the Web site of the medical center's Office of> > Communication &> > Public Affairs at http://mednews. stanford. edu.> > <http://mednews. stanford. edu./>> >> > Stanford University Medical Center> > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -> > ----------> >> > Article URL: http://www.medicaln ewstoday. com/articles/> > 136540.php <http://www.medicaln ewstoday. com/articles/ 136540.php>> >> >> > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -> > Add more friends to your messenger and enjoy! Invite them now.> > <http://in.rd. yahoo.com/ tagline_messenge r_6/*http: //messenger. yahoo.com/
invite/>> >> >> >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Add more friends to your messenger and enjoy! Go to http://messenger. yahoo.com/ invite/>

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